Paul,
an apostle
of Jesus Christ
by the will
of God,
and Timothy
our brother,
unto the church
of God which
is at Corinth,
with all
the saints which
are in all Achaia:
Grace be
to you and peace
from God our Father,
and
from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed
be God,
even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father
of mercies,
and the God
of all comfort;
Who comforteth us
in all
our tribulation,
that we
may be able
to comfort them
which are in any trouble,
by the comfort
wherewith
we ourselves
are comforted
of God.
For as the sufferings
of Christ
abound in us,
so our consolation
also aboundeth
by Christ.
And
whether we
be afflicted,
it is for your consolation
and salvation,
which is effectual
in the enduring
of the same sufferings
which we
also suffer:
or whether
we be comforted,
it is for your consolation
and salvation.
And our hope
of you
is stedfast,
knowing,
that as ye
are partakers
of the sufferings,
so shall
ye be also
of the consolation.
For we
would not,
brethren,
have you ignorant
of our trouble which
came to us
in Asia,
that we
were pressed out of measure,
above strength,
insomuch
that we
despaired even
of life:
But we
had
the sentence
of death
in ourselves,
that we
should not trust
in ourselves,
but in God which
raiseth the dead:
Who delivered us
from so great
a death,
and doth deliver:
in whom
we trust that
he will yet deliver us;
Ye also helping together
by prayer for us,
that for the gift
bestowed
upon us
by the means
of many persons thanks
may be given
by many
on our behalf.
For our rejoicing
is this,
the testimony
of our conscience,
that in simplicity
and godly sincerity,
not with fleshly wisdom,
but by the grace
of God,
we have had
our conversation
in the world,
and more
abundantly to you-ward.
For we
write none other things
unto you,
than
what
ye read
or acknowledge;
and
I trust
ye shall acknowledge even
to the end;
As also
ye have acknowledged us in part,
that we
are your rejoicing,
even as
ye also are our's
in the day
of the Lord Jesus.
And in this confidence
I was minded
to come
unto you before,
that ye
might have
a second benefit;
And
to pass by you
into Macedonia,
and to come again
out of Macedonia
unto you,
and of you
to be brought
on my way
toward Judaea.
When
I therefore was thus minded,
did
I use lightness?
or the things that
I purpose,
do I
purpose according to
the flesh,
that with me
there should be yea yea,
and nay nay?
But as God
is true,
our word
toward you
was not yea
and nay.
For the Son
of God, Jesus Christ,
who was preached
among you by us,
even by me and Silvanus
and Timotheus,
was not yea
and nay,
but in him was yea.
For all the promises
of God
in him are yea,
and in him Amen,
unto the glory
of God by us.
Now
he which
stablisheth us
with you
in Christ,
and hath anointed us,
is God;
Who hath also sealed us,
and given
the earnest
of the Spirit
in our hearts.
Moreover I
call God
for a record
upon my soul,
that to spare you
I came not
as yet unto Corinth.
Not for that
we have dominion
over your faith,
but are helpers
of your joy:
for by faith
ye stand.
But
I determined this
with myself,
that I
would not come again
to you
in heaviness.
For if I
make
you sorry,
who is he
then that
maketh me glad,
but the same which
is made sorry by me?
And
I wrote this same
unto you,
lest,
when I came,
I should have
sorrow
from them of whom
I ought to rejoice;
having confidence
in you all,
that my joy
is the joy
of you all.
For out of much affliction
and anguish
of heart
I wrote unto you
with many tears;
not that
ye should be grieved,
but that
ye might know
the love
which I
have more
abundantly unto you.
But
if any
have caused grief,
he hath not grieved me,
but in part:
that I
may not overcharge
you all.
Sufficient
to such a man
is this punishment,
which was inflicted
of many.
So that contrariwise
ye ought
rather to forgive him,
and comfort him,
lest perhaps such a one
should be swallowed up
with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore
I beseech you
that ye
would confirm
your love toward him.
For to this end
also did
I write,
that I
might know
the proof
of you,
whether ye
be obedient
in all things.
To whom
ye forgive any thing,
I forgive also:
for if
I forgave any thing,
to whom
I forgave it,
for your sakes
forgave
I it
in the person
of Christ;
Lest Satan
should get an advantage of us:
for we
are not ignorant
of his devices.
Furthermore,
when I
came
to Troas
to preach Christ's gospel,
and a door
was opened
unto me
of the Lord,
I had
no rest
in my spirit,
because
I found not Titus
my brother:
but taking
my leave
of them,
I went from
thence into Macedonia.
Now thanks
be unto God,
which always causeth us
to triumph
in Christ,
and maketh
manifest the savour
of his knowledge by us
in every place.
For we
are unto God
a sweet savour
of Christ,
in them that
are saved,
and
in them that perish:
To the one
we are the savour
of death
unto death;
and to the other the savour
of life
unto life.
And
who is sufficient
for these things?
For we
are not as many,
which corrupt the word
of God:
but
as of sincerity,
but as of God,
in the sight
of God
speak we in Christ.
Do we
begin again
to commend ourselves?
or need we,
as some others,
epistles
of commendation
to you,
or letters
of commendation
from you?
Ye are our epistle
written
in our hearts,
known
and read
of all men:
Forasmuch
as ye are
manifestly declared to be
the epistle
of Christ
ministered by us,
written not
with ink,
but with the Spirit
of the living God;
not in tables
of stone,
but in fleshy tables
of the heart.
And such trust
have
we through Christ
to God-ward:
Not that
we are sufficient
of ourselves
to think any thing
as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency
is of God;
Who also hath
made us able ministers
of the new testament;
not of the letter,
but of the spirit:
for the letter killeth,
but the spirit
giveth life.
But
if the ministration
of death,
written
and engraven
in stones,
was glorious,
so that the children
of Israel
could not stedfastly behold
the face
of Moses
for the glory
of his countenance;
which glory
was
to be done away:
How shall not
the ministration
of the spirit
be rather glorious?
For if the ministration
of condemnation
be glory,
much more
doth
the ministration
of righteousness
exceed in glory.
For even
that which
was made glorious
had
no glory
in this respect,
by reason
of the glory
that excelleth.
For if
that which
is done
away was glorious,
much more
that which
remaineth is glorious.
Seeing
then that
we have
such hope,
we use great plainness
of speech:
And not as Moses,
which put
a vail
over his face,
that the children
of Israel
could not stedfastly look
to the end
of that which
is abolished:
But their minds
were blinded:
for until this day
remaineth
the same vail
untaken away
in the reading
of the old testament;
which vail
is done away
in Christ.
But even unto this day,
when Moses
is read,
the vail
is upon their heart.
Nevertheless
when it
shall turn
to the Lord,
the vail
shall be taken away.
Now the Lord
is that Spirit:
and
where the Spirit
of the Lord is,
there is liberty.
But we all,
with open face
beholding as
in a glass
the glory
of the Lord,
are changed
into the same image
from glory to glory,
even as
by the Spirit
of the LORD.
Therefore seeing
we have
this ministry,
as we
have received mercy,
we faint not;
But have renounced
the hidden things
of dishonesty,
not walking
in craftiness,
nor handling
the word
of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation
of the truth
commending ourselves
to every man's conscience
in the sight
of God.
But
if our gospel
be hid,
it is
hid to them
that are lost:
In whom
the god
of this world
hath blinded
the minds
of them
which believe not,
lest the light
of the glorious gospel
of Christ,
who is the image
of God,
should shine unto them.
For we
preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus
the Lord;
and ourselves
your servants
for Jesus' sake.
For God,
who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness,
hath shined
in our hearts,
to give the light
of the knowledge
of the glory
of God
in the face
of Jesus Christ.
But
we have
this treasure
in earthen vessels,
that the excellency
of the power
may be of God,
and not of us.
We are troubled
on every side,
yet not distressed;
we are perplexed,
but
not in despair;
Persecuted,
but not forsaken;
cast down,
but not destroyed;
Always bearing about
in the body
the dying
of the Lord Jesus,
that the life
also of Jesus
might be made
manifest
in our body.
For we which live
are alway delivered unto death
for Jesus' sake,
that the life
also of Jesus
might be made
manifest
in our mortal flesh.
So then death
worketh in us,
but life
in you.
We having
the same spirit
of faith,
according as it
is written,
I believed,
and therefore have
I spoken;
we also believe,
and therefore speak;
Knowing that
he which raised
up the Lord Jesus
shall raise up us
also by Jesus,
and shall present us
with you.
For all
things are for your sakes,
that the abundant grace
might through the thanksgiving
of many redound
to the glory
of God.
For which
cause
we faint not;
but
though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man
is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction,
which is
but for a moment,
worketh
for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight
of glory;
While we
look not
at the things which
are seen,
but at the things which
are not seen:
for the things which
are seen
are temporal;
but
the things
which are not seen
are eternal.
For we
know that
if our earthly house
of this tabernacle
were dissolved,
we have a
building of God,
an house
not made
with hands,
eternal in the heavens.
For in this
we groan,
earnestly desiring
to be clothed upon
with our house
which is from heaven:
If so
be
that being clothed
we shall not be found naked.
For we
that
are in this tabernacle
do groan,
being burdened:
not for that
we would be unclothed,
but clothed upon,
that mortality
might be swallowed up
of life.
Now
he that
hath wrought us
for the selfsame thing
is God,
who also hath given
unto us the earnest
of the Spirit.
Therefore we
are always confident,
knowing that,
whilst we
are at home
in the body,
we are absent
from the Lord:
(For we
walk
by faith,
not by sight:)
We are confident,
I say,
and willing
rather to be absent
from the body,
and
to be
present
with the Lord.
Wherefore
we labour,
that,
whether present
or absent,
we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear
before the judgment seat
of Christ;
that every one
may receive
the things
done in his body,
according to
that
he hath done,
whether it
be
good
or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror
of the Lord,
we persuade men;
but
we are made
manifest
unto God;
and I
trust
also are made
manifest
in your consciences.
For we
commend not ourselves
again unto you,
but give
you occasion
to glory
on our behalf,
that ye
may have somewhat
to answer them which glory
in appearance,
and
not in heart.
For whether
we be beside ourselves,
it is to God:
or whether
we be sober,
it is for your cause.
For the love
of Christ
constraineth us;
because
we thus judge,
that if one
died
for all,
then were all dead:
And
that he
died
for all,
that they which live
should not henceforth live
unto themselves,
but
unto him
which died for them,
and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know
we no man
after the flesh:
yea,
though we
have known Christ
after the flesh,
yet now henceforth know
we him no more.
Therefore if any man
be in Christ,
he is a new creature:
old things
are passed away;
behold,
all things
are become new.
And all things
are of God,
who hath reconciled us
to himself
by Jesus Christ,
and hath given
to us the ministry
of reconciliation;
To wit,
that God
was in Christ,
reconciling the world
unto himself,
not imputing
their trespasses
unto them;
and hath committed
unto us the word
of reconciliation.
Now
then
we are ambassadors
for Christ,
as though God
did beseech
you by us:
we pray you
in Christ's stead,
be ye
reconciled
to God.
For he
hath made him
to be
sin for us,
who knew
no sin;
that we
might be made
the righteousness
of God in him.
We then,
as workers
together with him,
beseech you also
that
ye receive not
the grace
of God
in vain.
(For he saith,
I have heard thee
in a time accepted,
and in the day
of salvation
have
I succoured thee:
behold,
now is
the accepted time;
behold,
now is the day
of salvation.)
Giving no offence
in any thing,
that the ministry
be not blamed:
But in all things
approving ourselves
as the ministers
of God,
in much patience,
in afflictions,
in necessities,
in distresses,
In stripes,
in imprisonments,
in tumults,
in labours,
in watchings,
in fastings;
By pureness,
by knowledge,
by longsuffering,
by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost,
by love unfeigned,
By the word
of truth,
by the power
of God,
by the armour
of righteousness
on the right hand
and
on the left,
By honour
and dishonour,
by evil report
and good report:
as deceivers,
and yet true;
As unknown,
and yet well known;
as dying,
and,
behold,
we live;
as chastened,
and not killed;
As sorrowful,
yet alway rejoicing;
as poor,
yet making many rich;
as having nothing,
and yet possessing all things.
O ye Corinthians,
our mouth
is open unto you,
our heart
is enlarged.
Ye are not straitened in us,
but
ye are straitened
in your own bowels.
Now for a recompence
in the same,
(I speak as
unto my children,)
be ye
also enlarged.
Be ye
not unequally yoked
together
with unbelievers:
for what fellowship
hath righteousness
with unrighteousness?
and
what communion
hath light
with darkness?
And what concord
hath Christ
with Belial?
or what
part
hath
he that believeth
with an infidel?
And
what agreement
hath the temple
of God
with idols?
for ye are
the temple
of the living God;
as God
hath said,
I will dwell in them,
and walk in them;
and
I will be
their God,
and
they shall be
my people.
Wherefore come out from
among them,
and be
ye separate,
saith the Lord,
and touch not
the unclean thing;
and
I will receive you.
And will be
a Father
unto you,
and
ye shall be my sons
and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore
these promises,
dearly beloved,
let us
cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness
of the flesh
and spirit,
perfecting holiness
in the fear
of God.
Receive us;
we have wronged
no man,
we have corrupted
no man,
we have defrauded
no man.
I speak not
this
to condemn you:
for I have said before,
that ye
are in our hearts
to die
and live
with you.
Great is my boldness
of speech
toward you,
great is my glorying
of you:
I am filled
with comfort,
I am exceeding joyful
in all our tribulation.
For,
when we
were come
into Macedonia,
our flesh
had
no rest,
but
we were troubled
on every side;
without were fightings,
within were fears.
Nevertheless God,
that comforteth
those
that are cast down,
comforted us
by the coming
of Titus;
And not by his coming only,
but by the consolation
wherewith
he was comforted
in you,
when
he told us
your earnest desire,
your mourning,
your fervent mind
toward me;
so that
I rejoiced
the more.
For though
I made you sorry
with a letter,
I do not repent,
though I
did repent:
for I
perceive
that the same epistle
hath made
you sorry,
though it
were
but for a season.
Now I rejoice,
not that
ye were made sorry,
but
that ye
sorrowed
to repentance:
for ye
were made sorry
after a godly manner,
that ye
might receive
damage by us
in nothing.
For godly
sorrow
worketh repentance
to salvation not
to be repented of:
but
the sorrow
of the world
worketh death.
For behold
this selfsame thing,
that ye
sorrowed
after a godly sort,
what
carefulness it
wrought
in you,
yea,
what clearing
of yourselves,
yea,
what indignation,
yea,
what fear,
yea,
what vehement desire,
yea,
what zeal,
yea,
what revenge!
In all things
ye have approved yourselves
to be
clear
in this matter.
Wherefore,
though I
wrote unto you,
I did it
not for his cause
that had done
the wrong,
nor for his cause
that suffered wrong,
but
that our care
for you
in the sight
of God
might appear
unto you.
Therefore we
were comforted
in your comfort:
yea,
and exceedingly
the more joyed
we for the joy
of Titus,
because
his spirit
was refreshed
by you all.
For if
I have boasted any thing
to him
of you,
I am not ashamed;
but as we
spake all things
to you
in truth,
even so
our boasting,
which I
made
before Titus,
is found
a truth.
And his inward affection
is more abundant
toward you,
whilst he
remembereth
the obedience
of you all,
how with fear
and trembling
ye received him.
I rejoice therefore that
I have confidence
in you
in all things.
Moreover,
brethren,
we do you
to wit
of the grace
of God
bestowed
on the churches
of Macedonia;
How that
in a great trial
of affliction the abundance
of their joy
and their deep poverty
abounded
unto the riches
of their liberality.
For to their power,
I bear record,
yea,
and
beyond their power
they were willing
of themselves;
Praying us
with much intreaty
that we
would receive
the gift,
and take
upon us the fellowship
of the ministering
to the saints.
And this
they did,
not as we hoped,
but first gave
their own selves
to the Lord,
and unto us
by the will
of God.
Insomuch
that we
desired Titus,
that as he
had begun,
so he
would also finish
in you
the same grace also.
Therefore,
as ye abound
in every thing,
in faith,
and utterance,
and knowledge,
and
in all diligence,
and
in your love to us,
see that
ye abound
in this grace also.
I speak not
by commandment,
but by occasion
of the forwardness
of others,
and
to prove the sincerity
of your love.
For ye
know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that,
though he
was rich,
yet for your sakes
he became poor,
that ye
through his poverty
might be rich.
And herein
I give my advice:
for this
is expedient
for you,
who have begun before,
not only to do,
but also
to be
forward
a year ago.
Now therefore perform the doing
of it;
that as
there was a readiness
to will,
so there may be a performance
also out of that
which ye have.
For if
there be first a willing mind,
it is accepted according to
that a man hath,
and
not according to
that he
hath not.
For I
mean not
that other men
be eased,
and
ye burdened:
But by an equality,
that now at this time
your abundance
may be a supply
for their want,
that their abundance
also may be a supply
for your want:
that there may be
equality:
As it is written,
He that
had gathered
much had nothing over;
and he
that had gathered little
had no lack.
But thanks
be to God,
which put
the same earnest care
into the heart
of Titus
for you.
For indeed
he accepted
the exhortation;
but being more forward,
of his own accord
he went unto you.
And
we have sent
with him the brother,
whose praise
is in the gospel
throughout all the churches;
And not
that only,
but
who was also chosen
of the churches
to travel
with us
with this grace,
which is administered by us
to the glory
of the same Lord,
and declaration
of your ready mind:
Avoiding this,
that no man
should blame us
in this abundance
which is administered by us:
Providing
for honest things,
not
only in the sight
of the Lord,
but also in the sight
of men.
And
we have sent
with them our brother,
whom
we have oftentimes proved diligent
in many things,
but now much more diligent,
upon the great confidence
which I
have in you.
Whether any
do enquire
of Titus,
he is my partner
and fellowhelper
concerning you:
or our brethren
be enquired of,
they are the messengers
of the churches,
and the glory
of Christ.
Wherefore shew
ye to them,
and
before the churches,
the proof
of your love,
and of our boasting
on your behalf.
For as touching
the ministering
to the saints,
it is superfluous
for me
to write
to you:
For I
know the forwardness
of your mind,
for which I
boast
of you to them
of Macedonia,
that Achaia
was ready
a year ago;
and your zeal
hath provoked very many.
Yet have
I sent
the brethren,
lest our boasting
of you
should be in vain
in this behalf;
that,
as I said,
ye may be ready:
Lest haply
if they
of Macedonia
come with me,
and find
you unprepared,
we
(that we say not, ye)
should be ashamed
in this
same confident boasting.
Therefore I
thought it necessary
to exhort the brethren,
that they
would go before
unto you,
and make up beforehand
your bounty,
whereof
ye had
notice before,
that the same
might be ready,
as a matter
of bounty,
and not as
of covetousness.
But this
I say,
He
which soweth
sparingly shall reap
also sparingly;
and he which
soweth
bountifully shall reap
also bountifully.
Every man
according as he
purposeth in his heart,
so let him give;
not grudgingly,
or of necessity:
for God
loveth a cheerful giver.
And God
is able
to make
all grace
abound toward you;
that ye,
always having all sufficiency
in all things,
may abound
to every good work:
(As it
is written,
He hath dispersed abroad;
he hath given
to the poor:
his righteousness
remaineth for ever.
Now he that
ministereth
seed
to the sower both minister bread
for your food,
and multiply
your seed sown,
and increase
the fruits
of your righteousness;)
Being enriched
in every thing
to all bountifulness,
which causeth through us thanksgiving
to God.
For the administration
of this service
not only supplieth
the want
of the saints,
but is abundant
also by many thanksgivings
unto God;
Whiles
by the experiment
of this ministration
they glorify God
for your professed subjection
unto the gospel
of Christ,
and
for your liberal distribution
unto them,
and
unto all men;
And
by their prayer
for you,
which long
after you
for the exceeding
grace of God in you.
Thanks
be unto God
for his unspeakable gift.
Now I Paul myself
beseech you
by the meekness
and gentleness
of Christ,
who in presence
am base
among you,
but being absent
am bold
toward you:
But
I beseech you,
that I
may not be bold
when
I am
present with that confidence,
wherewith
I think
to be bold
against some,
which think of us
as if
we walked according to
the flesh.
For though
we walk
in the flesh,
we do not war
after the flesh:
(For the weapons
of our warfare
are not carnal,
but mighty
through God
to the pulling down
of strong holds;)
Casting
down imaginations,
and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God,
and bringing
into captivity every thought
to the obedience
of Christ;
And having
in a readiness
to revenge
all disobedience,
when your obedience
is fulfilled.
Do ye
look
on things
after the outward appearance?
If any man
trust
to himself
that he
is Christ's,
let him
of himself
think
this again,
that,
as he
is Christ's,
even so
are we Christ's.
For though
I should boast
somewhat more
of our authority,
which the Lord
hath given us
for edification,
and
not for your destruction,
I should not be ashamed:
That I
may not seem
as if
I would terrify you
by letters.
For his letters,
say they,
are weighty
and powerful;
but his bodily presence
is weak,
and his speech contemptible.
Let such
an one
think this,
that,
such as
we are
in word
by letters
when
we are absent,
such will
we be also
in deed
when
we are present.
For we
dare
not make ourselves
of the number,
or compare ourselves
with some
that commend themselves:
but
they measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves
among themselves,
are not wise.
But
we will not boast of things
without our measure,
but
according to the measure
of the rule
which God
hath distributed to us,
a measure
to reach even
unto you.
For we
stretch not ourselves
beyond our measure,
as though
we reached not
unto you:
for we
are come as far
as to you
also in preaching
the gospel
of Christ:
Not boasting
of things
without our measure,
that is,
of other men's labours;
but having hope,
when your faith
is increased,
that we
shall be enlarged
by you
according to our rule abundantly,
To preach the gospel
in the regions
beyond you,
and not
to boast
in another man's line
of things made ready
to our hand.
But he
that glorieth,
let him
glory
in the Lord.
For not
he that
commendeth himself
is approved,
but whom
the Lord commendeth.
Would to God
ye could bear
with me a little
in my folly:
and
indeed bear with me.
For I
am jealous
over you
with godly jealousy:
for I
have espoused you
to one husband,
that I
may present you
as a chaste virgin
to Christ.
But I fear,
lest
by any means,
as the serpent
beguiled Eve
through his subtilty,
so your minds
should be corrupted
from the simplicity
that is
in Christ.
For if he
that cometh
preacheth
another Jesus,
whom
we have not preached,
or if ye
receive
another spirit,
which ye
have not received,
or another gospel,
which ye
have not accepted,
ye might well bear with him.
For I
suppose
I was not a whit
behind the very chiefest apostles.
But
though I
be rude
in speech,
yet
not in knowledge;
but
we have been throughly made
manifest
among you
in all things.
Have
I committed
an offence
in abasing myself that
ye might be exalted,
because
I
have preached
to you the gospel
of God freely?
I robbed
other churches,
taking wages of them,
to do you service.
And
when
I was
present with you,
and wanted,
I was chargeable
to no man:
for that which
was lacking to me
the brethren which
came
from Macedonia supplied:
and in all things
I have kept myself
from being burdensome
unto you,
and so
will I keep myself.
As the truth
of Christ
is in me,
no man
shall stop me
of this
boasting
in the regions
of Achaia.
Wherefore?
because
I love you not?
God knoweth.
But what I do,
that I
will do,
that I
may cut off occasion
from them which desire occasion;
that wherein
they glory,
they may be found
even as we.
For such
are false apostles,
deceitful workers,
transforming themselves
into the apostles
of Christ.
And no marvel;
for Satan himself
is transformed
into an angel
of light.
Therefore it
is
no great thing
if his ministers
also be transformed
as the ministers
of righteousness;
whose end
shall be according to
their works.
I say again,
Let no man
think me a fool;
if otherwise,
yet as a fool
receive me,
that I
may boast myself
a little.
That which
I speak,
I speak it
not after the Lord,
but as it
were foolishly,
in this confidence
of boasting.
Seeing that many glory
after the flesh,
I will glory also.
For ye
suffer fools gladly,
seeing
ye yourselves
are wise.
For ye suffer,
if a man
bring you
into bondage,
if a man
devour you,
if a man
take of you,
if a man
exalt himself,
if a man
smite you
on the face.
I speak
as concerning reproach,
as though
we had been weak.
Howbeit
whereinsoever any
is bold,
(I speak foolishly,)
I am bold also.
Are
they Hebrews?
so am I. Are
they Israelites?
so am I. Are
they the seed
of Abraham?
so am I.
Are
they ministers
of Christ?
(I speak as a fool)
I am more;
in labours more abundant,
in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequent,
in deaths oft.
Of the Jews
five times
received
I forty stripes
save one.
Thrice was
I beaten
with rods,
once was
I stoned,
thrice
I suffered shipwreck,
a night
and a day
I have been
in the deep;
In journeyings often,
in perils
of waters,
in perils
of robbers,
in perils
by mine own countrymen,
in perils
by the heathen,
in perils
in the city,
in perils
in the wilderness,
in perils
in the sea,
in perils
among false brethren;
In weariness
and painfulness,
in watchings often,
in hunger
and thirst,
in fastings often,
in cold
and nakedness.
Beside those things
that are without,
that which
cometh upon me daily,
the care
of all the churches.
Who is weak,
and
I am not weak?
who is offended,
and
I burn not?
If I
must needs glory,
I will glory
of the things which concern
mine infirmities.
The God
and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which is blessed
for evermore,
knoweth that
I lie not.
In Damascus
the governor
under Aretas
the king
kept
the city
of the Damascenes
with a garrison,
desirous
to apprehend me:
And
through a window
in a basket
was I let down
by the wall,
and escaped
his hands.
It is not expedient
for me doubtless
to glory.
I will come
to visions
and revelations
of the Lord.
I knew a man
in Christ above
fourteen years ago,
(whether
in the body,
I cannot tell;
or whether
out of the body,
I cannot tell:
God knoweth;)
such an one
caught up to
the third heaven.
And I
knew
such a man,
(whether
in the body,
or
out of the body,
I cannot tell:
God knoweth;)
How that
he was caught up
into paradise,
and heard
unspeakable words,
which it
is not lawful
for a man
to utter.
Of such
an one
will
I glory:
yet of myself
I will not glory,
but in mine infirmities.
For though
I would desire
to glory,
I shall not be
a fool;
for I
will say
the truth:
but now
I forbear,
lest any man
should think
of me above
that which
he seeth me to be,
or that he heareth of me.
And lest
I should be
exalted above
measure
through the abundance
of the revelations,
there was given
to me a thorn
in the flesh,
the messenger
of Satan
to buffet me,
lest
I should be
exalted above measure.
For this thing
I besought
the Lord thrice,
that it
might depart from me.
And
he said unto me,
My grace
is sufficient
for thee:
for my strength
is made
perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will
I rather glory
in my infirmities,
that the power
of Christ
may rest upon me.
Therefore I
take pleasure
in infirmities,
in reproaches,
in necessities,
in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ's sake:
for when
I am weak,
then am
I strong.
I am become
a fool
in glorying;
ye have compelled me:
for I
ought to have been commended
of you:
for in nothing
am
I behind the
very chiefest apostles,
though I
be nothing.
Truly the signs
of an apostle
were wrought
among you
in all patience,
in signs,
and wonders,
and mighty deeds.
For what
is it
wherein ye
were inferior
to other churches,
except it
be that I myself
was not burdensome
to you?
forgive me
this wrong.
Behold,
the third time
I am ready
to come to you;
and
I will not be burdensome
to you:
for I
seek not your's but you:
for the children
ought not
to lay up
for the parents,
but the parents
for the children.
And
I will very gladly spend
and be spent
for you;
though the more abundantly
I love you,
the less I be loved.
But be it so,
I did not burden you:
nevertheless,
being crafty,
I caught you
with guile.
Did
I make
a gain
of you
by any
of them whom
I sent
unto you?
I desired Titus,
and with him I
sent a brother.
Did Titus
make a gain
of you?
walked
we not in the same spirit?
walked
we not in the same steps?
Again,
think ye that
we excuse ourselves
unto you?
we speak
before God
in Christ:
but
we do all things,
dearly beloved,
for your edifying.
For I fear,
lest,
when I come,
I shall not find you
such as
I would,
and that
I shall be found
unto you
such as
ye would not:
lest there be debates,
envyings,
wraths,
strifes,
backbitings,
whisperings,
swellings,
tumults:
And lest,
when
I come again,
my God
will humble me
among you,
and that
I shall bewail many which
have sinned already,
and have not repented
of the uncleanness
and fornication
and lasciviousness
which they
have committed.
This is
the third time
I am coming
to you.
In the mouth
of two
or three witnesses
shall
every word
be established.
I told you
before,
and foretell you,
as if
I were present,
the second time;
and being absent now
I write to them
which heretofore have sinned,
and to all other,
that,
if I come again,
I will not spare:
Since ye
seek a proof
of Christ
speaking in me,
which to you-ward
is not weak,
but is mighty
in you.
For though
he was crucified
through weakness,
yet
he liveth by the power
of God.
For we
also are weak
in him,
but we
shall live
with him
by the power
of God
toward you.
Examine yourselves,
whether ye
be in the faith;
prove your own selves.
Know
ye not
your own selves,
how that Jesus Christ
is in you,
except ye
be reprobates?
But I
trust that
ye shall know that
we are not reprobates.
Now
I pray to God
that
ye do no evil;
not that
we should appear approved,
but that ye
should do
that which
is honest,
though we
be as reprobates.
For we
can do nothing
against the truth,
but for the truth.
For we
are glad,
when we
are weak,
and
ye are strong:
and this also
we wish,
even your perfection.
Therefore I
write
these things
being absent,
lest
being
present
I should use sharpness,
according to
the power
which the Lord
hath given me
to edification,
and
not to destruction.
Finally,
brethren,
farewell.
Be perfect,
be of good comfort,
be of one mind,
live in peace;
and the God
of love
and peace
shall be
with you.
Greet one another
with an holy kiss.
The grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love
of God,
and the communion
of the Holy Ghost,
be with you all.
Amen.